Saturday, May 21, 2011

Hotel Le Bristol, Paris, France

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When I started my diary I thought that I could publish 1-2 hotels per month. Unfortunately, a health problem forced me to neglect this blog for more than 4 months. I also had to postpone the trips that I had already scheduled in order to shoot more hotels for my upcoming books with US Luxury Hotels and Luxury Spa Hotels. I won't be able to travel until the end of July, so I will have plenty of time for homework, writing and editing photos.

Hôtel Le Bristol is one of the best luxury hotels in Paris, renowned for its exquisite French garden. This fabulous hotel is ideally located on the rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré, famous for its fashion district and art galleries. It’s only steps away from the Champs-Elysées, Place de la Concorde, Louvre and Orsay museums.
It was originally constructed in 1758 by the keeper of King Louis XV's buildings. Today, it is a superb palace with gardens, antique furniture, objects of art and old master paintings.The Bristol is creamy Art Deco on the outside and decadent 18th century inside. The hotel is filled with soft colours, refined woodwork, sumptuous fabrics and fine antique furniture. An outstanding collection of Gobelins and Lille tapestries and old master paintings, many of which were acquired from an auction of reserve works staged by the Louvre Museum before the Second World War make it a real gallery with old-school charm.
The Presidential Suites consist of Louis XVI wood-paneled blue or champagne colored living rooms and walls replicated from those of a Swedish Château. The penthouse, which has been played host to everyone from Marilyn Monroe to Prince, favorite among style leaders, is yellow with an Empire style sitting room. The spacious rooms and suites are further enhanced by 18th century furniture and original paintings, combined with ultra modern comfort. On January 2010 the 36 of them hat overlooking the garden of the hotel underwent a complete renovation that was personally orchestrated by the owner, Mrs Oetker. The terraces that adjoin some of the rooms and suites overlook the garden or other views of the most amazing sights of Paris.
The Gastronomic Restaurant of the Hôtel Le Bristol was recently awarded three Michelin stars, offers to guests Eric Frechon’s exceptional and innovative food, an unforgettable dining experience in one of our two elegant surroundings: the “Winter Restaurant” features the warmth of oak woodwork, while the “Summer Restaurant” with view of the beautiful French garden, when the window boxes of geraniums are in bloom and the large garden is redolent with the smell of magnolia. The brand-new restaurant “114 Faubourg” has open in 2010, offers grilled, steamed or spit-roasted dishes of meat or fish.
Ann Semonin spa provides a global approach of beauty through aroma-therapy and personalized treatments. The pool is one of the few in Paris and is enclosed in a teak and glass solarium. The wood decking and a seaside mural make the pool resemble the deck of a 19th-centry yacht.


Hotel Le Bristol, Paris 112 rue du Faubourg Saint Honore, 75008 Paris, France.

Some of the photographs and the text are part of my book European Style Hotels.